The Iowa Castaways are making some very good progress.

Skipper and Lovey Howell went for a road trip last week to the Foster & Smith outlet store in Rhinelander, just 55 minutes away from here(how lucky we are!). http://www.drsfostersmith.com Gilligan is visiting there today with his foster mom.

Skipper came in first and although he had never been on a leash before, trotted thru the store like he owned the place. He sniffed and snuffled in all the low shelves until he found what he wanted. It was a bag of piggy ears. He pulled them off of the shelf and opened the bag. He picked out his ear and laid down on the bag and chewed. So of course we came home with 'his' bag of piggy ears and also some cow ears and lots of their chicken breast treats, liver treats and their dog biscuits.

Lovey came in next and all the people in the store thought she was the sweetest girl around. Lovey soaked up all the attention she could get. Store shoppers stopped to scratch her neck and rub her behind her ears. She decided that the attention she was getting was far better than shopping! Lovey is available for adoption.

Captains neck wound has healed to the point that he no longer has to have the water therapy. Captain is one sweet boy and is becoming very attached to me. He follows me around and seeks out attention. He no longer flattens out when you reach to pet him. He has made a 100% turn around and is going to do very well in his up and coming life when he finds his own family. Captain is ready for adoption.

Captain and most of the other boys are now learning what it is like to stay clean in their crates and are no longer urinating in them. They are all pooping outside and learning what it is like to be a clean dog. House training is slower, but the girls are getting the idea quicker than the boys. We recommend that any one interested in adopting any of the boys, purchase a belly band for them to aid in house training. They are most effective.

Hardy Joe has started his heart worm treatment and is doing well. This guy is so sweet and gentle. He is going to make one lover of a pet and a very good couch potato when he is finished with his treatment!

The Professor is the one that walks the best on the leash. He is a little older than the others(except for Lovey, who is 8) and a very mellow boy. My guess is that he is about 6 or 7 years old. He seems like a wise dog, hence his name, The Professor. The Professor recently had his teeth cleaned and checked over. He is ready for adoption.

Ginger had a walk on a leash with my corgi Colonel, this past week. It took her awhile to get the idea. She did have to stop and think about it for awhile occasionally, but I think she enjoyed it. Ginger will be going to a new foster home this weekend and hopefully it will become her forever home.

Skipper also had a walk this week with one of my corgis. He did well until we passed the property line and then he wanted to go back. I encouraged him on and he trotted along with not too much hesitation. Skipper is ready for adoption.

Thurston Howell is a very wiggly boy. You lift him up and he is wiggling. he licks your face and is so happy to see you anytime. He would make someone a lovely running partner as he is full of energy and a very inquisitive. He has lost his fear of being petted and even jumps up top greet me.

Mary Ann had a dental today(May 2, 2008) and the report from the veterinarian's office is that she is very sweet and good patient. Mary Ann is a bit of an escape artist, so her foster mom has to keep her on a long line within the fenced yard. I am sure once she is loved and devoted to a new family and gets all the loving she needs, she will not want to leave! Mary Ann is ready for adoption.

BlueBoy has made progress. He is the worrisome boy and still harbors a great deal of mistrust of people. He no longer flattens when I reach to pet him, but he still has to go out in the yard dragging a leash as he will not come to me unless I step on his leash. Once I have the leash, he allows me to pet him and will come closer to me if I stop petting him. He is going to take a while to get his trust back. I do believe that he was mistreated worse than the others. He was afraid of the TV at first, but now is getting used to it. I hold him in my lap every evening and we watch the news together. He is now not so reactive when he sees the TV. He has learned that it will not hurt him. He will come around, it is just going to take some time. I have being putting very little pressure on him. I am just letting him be a dog and hang out.

All of the Castaways are enjoying their treats from Foster & Smith. We send sincere THANK YOUs to them for donating items and dog food to us for the corgis. Also, THANK SO MUCH to several people that have donated Foster & Smith gift certificates. This has helped us immensely.

A big THANK YOU to all that have donated money to these poor babies and also to all that have sent shampoo. They are all getting their second rounds of baths and are smelling soooooo much better.